Method of and apparatus for placing



Dec. 1, 1936. c, A MATHEY ET AL Re. 20,191

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PLACING EXPLOSIVE CHARGES Original Filed Jan. 29, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet l I v.1. l

ATTORNEY 1936- c. A. MATHEY ET AL Re. 20,191

METHOD Of AND APPARATUS FORPLAGING EXPLOSIVE CHARGES Original Filed Jan. 29, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zia w 266 HIII I I I 'IWI ll/If/Illll C Qe s 2330 Y ATTORNEY 1936- c. A. MATHEY ET AL Re. 20,191

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PLACING EXPLOSIVE CHARGES Original Filed Jan. 29, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN /7 ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1936. c. A. MATHEY ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PLACING EXPLOSIVE CHARGES Original Filed Jan. 29, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 flllllilllllllllmllli ms RM m Y O e E T Z N N R A Wr 0 NM n IS A Dec. 1, 1936.

c. A. MATHEY El Al.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PLACING EXPLOSIVE CHARGES Original Filed Jan. 29, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I ve TORS [besi r Maf/I u f? L w/s' ATTORNEY S .O v 6 3M5 Y 1 t E e T e o e N Z R 2 n EH 0 v a w N W w R e A e S U h e0 5 \hpvl 6 C B l, 1936. c. A. MATHEY El Al.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PLACING EXPLOSIVE CHARGES Original Filed Jan. 29, 1934 Reissued Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PLACING EXPLOSIVE CHARGES Chester A. Mathey and Paul F. Lewis, Tulsa,

9th.: said Lewis assignor, by mesne assignments, to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Commay, a corporation of Delaware 1 mechanical equipment, etc., through which the exmine when the explosive charge has reached its point of placement. and to indicate when the explosive charge has been released from the torpedo hook which is attached to the lowering 15 cable.

It is also an important object of the invention to centralize all of the above indications at a common point under direct observation of a single operator who is located at the controls of the 20 reeling equipment, so that the events incidental to descent of the explosive charge are known to the operator to permit control of the reeling equipment in accordance with descent conditions encountered in the well.

Further objects of the invention are to provide reeling, braking and indicating m as a combined unit which may be readily transported from one well to another and which is serviceable for all of the shooting operations encountered in well shooting practices.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved braking means for positively retarding descent of the explosive charge whereby descent of the charge may be in- 35 Mill! controlled without causing damage to the torpedo shell or the lowering and braking mechanisms In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, we have provided improved details 01 structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Pig. 1 is a side elevational'view of our improved apparatus illustrating the lowering of an explosivechar'geintoanoilvrell. v m. 2 18 an enlarged detafl perspective view of the reeling and controlling mechanism, as mounted on a motor driven vehicle, whereby the apparatus is readily transported from one well to another M raisin a plan view, of the apparatus.

plosive charges are lowered, to positively deter- 10 Claims. (01. 102-5) clutch mechanism for operably connecting the reels with their driving shafts.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the ap- -.paratus on the line 6-, Fig. 3. 5

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6l, Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view on the line 1-1, Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view 0! the reel clutch operating members shown in disassembled spaced relation.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view partly in section of the hydraulic mechanism for controlling and indicating descent velocity of the explosive being lowered into the well.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional viewthrough the hydraulic mechanism on the line "-40, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detafl sectional view through the clutch for effecting selective actuation of either the squib or torpedo reels.

Fig. 12 is a detafl perspective view of the latch mechanism for retaining the clutch shown in Fig. 11 in engagement with either one of its engaging positions.

Fig. 13 is a detafl vertical section through the mechanism Y for eflecting layer winding of the cable on the torpedo reel.

Fig. v14 is an enlarged detafl view illustrating the follower and one end of the shaft for actuatmg the'cable guide member.

Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the follower in position for being reversed to effect movement of the cable guide member in the opposite direction.

Fig. 16 is a detafl perspective view of the follower.

Fig. 17 is a bled perspective view of the parts of the measure meter.

Fig. 18 is a central cross-sectional view through the measure meter.

Fig. 19 is a detafl sectional view through one of the rear wheels and axle of the vehicle particularly illustrating the power take 01.! mechanism for driving the reels.

Fig. 20 is a cross section on the line 20-20, Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the clutch parts of the power take oil shown in led spaced relation. I

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a drill hole leading from the earths surface to an oil or other producing stratum 2, 3 a casing which has been lowered into the drill hole and 4 a derrick forming a part of the equipment employed in drilling operations.

Many oil, gas or other productive strata are so hard and compact that the fluid contained therein will not flow into the well hole and it is necessary to shatter the producing strata with explosive charges, for example, heavy charges of nitroglycerin which are lowered into the well in a series of shells I by means of a cable 8 operating over a torpedo pulley I at the top of the well. In the illustrated instance, the torpedo pulley I is supported over the center of the well by a flexible cable 2 connected to a convenient support l0 on the derrick. as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

In lowering the explosive into the well, it has been impossible forthe operator to know the dequently, many premature explosions are caused through loss of the torpedo shell, frictional engagement of the shell with the walls of the well, too rapid descent of the shell, and sudden engagement of the shell with the bottom of the well-brought about by mistakes in calculating the depth at which the explosive charge is to be placed.

It has also been impossible to accurately determine the amount of fluid or other stemming in the well in order that the correct amount of additional fluid.maybe injected into the well to conflne the forces of the explosion to the strata 2 and prevent damage to the well casing I.

Other causes which might result in complete loss of the well are failure to submerge gas bearing strata with fluid, or other stemming, sudden of the hazards incidental to the shooting" operation of a well. P

Other jobs which may be encountered are to set explosive charges in casings, to sever portions thereof that have become wedged in the well as in the salvaging of tubings and well casings from abandoned wells, releasing tools and many other operations requiring the accurate placement of explosive charges in the form of squibs, bombs. and the like. i

In order to provide ready transport of the mechanism from one well to another, as well as to provide power for placement operations. the mechanism is mounted on a motor driven vehicle u and contained in a housing l2 carried at the close proximity to the rear rear of the vehicle in wheels thereof.

The housing l2 includes a base section I) having an upwardly extending rear portion l4 to which is hinged acover section I! for exposing the operating mechanism, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, when;it is to be placed in use. The base portion I! of the housing is mounted on longitudinal sills l4 and I! supported in the rear compartment I! of the vehicle and having their rear ends projecting therefrom and connected by a cross bar l9.

Carried in the bottom section II of the housing are spaced cross members 20, 2 I, 22 and 23 respectively forming supports for a power shaft 24 and a pair of reel shafts 2i and 28 extending in parallel relation with the power shaft, as best illustrated in Fig. 3 f

The reel shafts have their ends rotatably mounted in bearings 21, 28, 29 and respectively supported on brackets 3i forming a part of the respective cross members at a point substantially midway of their length.

The shaft 2! forms a rotatable support for a torpedo reel 22 on which is coiled the cable 6 for lowering the explosive charge into a well. The torpedo reel 22 includes a drum threadedly engaging hubs and 34 on end disks l5 and. 28 which are freely mounted on the shaft and adapted to be selectively connected therewith through clutch mechanism now to be described.

Mountedon the shaft 26 between the bearings 22 and and the adjacent disks 35 and 38 are clutch members 31 and 38, the clutch members include circular plates 39 arranged to engage the outer faces of the reel disks and having threaded hubs 40 provided with spline grooves 4|. to engage keys 42 on the shaft to fix the disks in driving relation therewith. In order to increase frictional contact with the inner face of the clutch memberswith the outer face of the disks, they are provided with a lining material 42.

The clutch member 32 is rigidly retained against longitudinal movement on the shaft by a sectional ring 44 flxed to the hub thereof by fastening devices 45 extending through openings in the ring and into threaded sockets in the hub,

the inner periphery of the ring being mounted.

in an annular groove 46 formed in the shaft adjacent the inner side of the bearing III, as shown in Fig. 4.

Threadedly mounted on the hub of the clutch member 34 is a ratchet ring 41 having peripheral teeth 40 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 42 pivotally mounted on a lug ill extending upwardly from the bearing 30 for selectively preventing rotation of the torpedo reel, as later described.

The other clutch member 31 is slidably mounted on the shaft to be moved into and out of engagement with the clutch face on the disk II and as f to shift the reel so that the clutch face on the disk 34 engages the clutch face of the member I 22., the clutch member being actuated by means of a clutch lever actuating mechanism now to be described. I

Threaded on the hub of the clutch member 31 is an adjusting nut 5| having an outer face I2 engaging a thrust bearing II mounted on the shaft 20 and engaging the flat face 54 of a collar I! having cam portions 54 and 51 adapted to engage similar cam portions ll and I! one collar 02.

'The collar Oil is sleeved on a tubular extension 6| projectingfrom, the side of the bearing 29 which also mounts the collar 55. Extending from the periphery of the collar 59 is a ratchet segment 62 having teeth 82 adapted to be engaged by the pawl 84 of an operating lever I forming a part of the collar 55. The collar 4 is attached to the bearing 28 by a screw 66 exsegment by a spring s having one end fixed to the pawl and its opposite end connected with a lateral extension on the lower end of the lever.

The pawl is moved to release position by a hand grip ll pivoted on the upper end of the lever, as

at I2, and connected to the pawl by a link 13.

'the clutch member 31 into clutch engagement with the clutch face on the reel disk 35 and the clutch face on the reel disk 36 into clutching engagement with the clutch member 30 to efl'ect rotation of the reel by its shaft 25. The inner end of the reel shaft projects through the bearing 25 and carries an anti-friction thrust bearing I0 which is retained thereon by a driving sprocket 15 mounted on the reduced threaded extension I0 of the shaft.

In order to adjust movement of the clutch members upon actuation of the hand lever, the

adjusting nut 5 I vmay be manipulated on the hub to vary relative spacing between the bearing 29 and the nut 5I. After adjustment, the nut is retained in fixed position by a spring pressed plunger I0 slidably mounted in an extension 00 on the adjusting nut and engageable in one of a series ofopenings 0| formed in the face of the clutch member 31, as best illustrated in Fig. 8.

The clutch members are preferably provided with lubricant through the bearings mounting the reel and the lubricant is retained by a packing ring 02 carried in the periphery of the clutch members and engaging the inner face of annular flanges 03 and 00 projecting outwardly from the faces of the reel disks. I

The flange 03 is preferably of suihclent width to form a brake drum for mounting a brake band 05 that is pivoted on a bracket 05 carried by the floor I! of the housing by means of a screw extending through an ear 0! on the band and into the bracket 05. The ends of the band terminate in lateral ears 00 and 00 carrying a draw bolt 00 having a head 0| engaging the ear 00 and a nut 02 engaging the ear 00. The ends of the band are normally spread apart by a coil spring 03 sleeved on the draw bolt and having its ends engaging the respective ears so that the brake is normally retained in released condition.

In order to apply the brake band, the head 0| carries a lever 00 adapted to engage against the ear 00 to compress the spring 03 and to contract the band about the periphery of the brake drum. The lever 00 may be retained in braking condition' by a pawl 95 carried thereby and releasably engaging rack teeth 05 formed on the head 0I of the draw bolt, as best shown in Fig. 7.

with the exception of the brake drum and size, the squib reel is of substantially the same construction as the torpedo reel. so that the parts thereof need not be described in detail, it being sufflcient to .say that the squib reel is operable by a clutch lever 01 similar to the clutch lever 55 and theshaft 25 thereof is actuated by a sprocket 00 similar a to the, sprocket 15 on the shaft of the torpedo reel previously described.

In order to drive the reels for winding the cables thereon, we provide a driving mechanism operable by the motor of the vehicle, as now to be described. Carried on the rear ends of the cross members 20 to 23, inclusive, are bearings 00, I00, IOI and I02 for rotatably mountingthe power shaft 20 preferably including spaced sections I 00 and I05 having their inner ends connected by a coupling rod I05, the rod I05 having threaded ends I" and I00 engaging in threaded sockets I00 and H0 formed in the ends of the shaft sections, as best illustrated in Fig. 11.

Rotatably mounted in the bearings I00 and III and on the coupling rod I 05 are sleeves III and H2, each carrying sprocket wheels H3 and 0, respectively, which are provided with clutch faces II5 and H5 that are adapted to be engaged by a clutch member I". The clutchmember III is slidably keyed to the rod I05 by a spline II5, the clutch member being provided with clutch faces 9 and I20 for selectively engaging either one of the clutch faces H5 or I I 5, whereby either one or the other of the sprockets may be actuated, depending upon which one of the sprockets is engaged by the clutch member.

In order to move the clutch member to and from the respective sprockets, the clutch member is provided with an annular groove I2I for mounting an actuating yoke I22 that is fixed to a rod I23 reciprocably mounted in lugs I20 and I25 carrled by the cross members I and 22, respectively.

The ends of the'rod I project through the lugs and the end adjacent the lug I20 carries a head I20 by which'the rod may be reciprocated to move the clutch member. The opposite end of the rod projects through the lug I25 and is pro-. vided with a pair of annular grooves I21 and I20 adapted to be selectively engaged by a rocking lever I29 that is pivoted on a bolt I30 carried by the lug I25 and has a notch L3I adapted to engage with the grooves I21 and I20 depending upon which one of the sprockets is engaged by theclutch.

The outer ends of the shaft sections project beyond the bearings 00 and I02, through the end walls of the housing. and carry sprockets I02 and I30 that are driven by chain's I30 and I35. connected with power take 01! mechanisms I35 mounted on the ends of each of the rear axles of anti-friction bearing sets I03 and I00 which are retained against lateral movement by a collar I05 provided on the bearing sleeve and by a washer I00 fixed to the inner end of the bearing sleeve.

Rotatably mounted on the bearing sets is a v wheel hub I01 having an annular flange I00 for mounting the wheel hub housing I00 and the brake drum I50, as in conventional automotive practice. The outer end of the wheel hub carries an inwardly extending flange I5I engageable with the collar I05 of the bearing sleeve .and is provided with clutch teeth I5l' adapted to be engaged by the teeth I52 on the clutch collar I52 that is slidably keyed on the bearing extension by splines I53. Theclutch collar is actuated on the bearing sleeve by a nut I threaded on the bearing sleeve and rotatably connected with the clutch collar by means of a ring I55 fixed to the nut and engaged in an annular groove I55 in the collar, the nut being adapted for rotationby a suitable spanner wrench, not shown. engageable each power take of! is a sprocket I58 aligning with the sprockets I28 and I28 on the power shaft for operating the chains I88 and I85.

It is apparent that when the clutch collar I52 is moved into engagement with the teeth III on the wheel hub the wheel hub will be effective in driving the wheel of the vehicle but when the clutch collar is moved to disengaged position, the bearing sleeve is free to rotate within the wheel hub without actuatingthe wheel of the vehicle. Consequently, when the chains I and I are connected with the sprockets I58, the rear axles I88 of the vehicle may be utilized for operating the power shaft to effect operation of either one of the reels which are connected with the power shaft by chains I51 and I58 operating over sprockets H8 and 88 and over the sprockets Ill and 18, respectively.

When the clutch collar I52 is out of engagement with the wheel hub, the nut I54 is locked against rotation by a spring pressed plunger I88 carried by the sprocket and adapted to engage in a socket I58 that is formed in the nut.

While the brake band above described may be effective in controlling rotation of the torpedo reel, or the clutch disks may be employed as a brake, in accordance with previous practice, such braking means are not to be depended upon to retard descent of the explosive charge that is being lowered into the well for the reason that increased acceleration of the explosive charge is likely to burn out their frictional surfaces to such an extent that slipping and Jerking action thereof will effect loss of the explosive charge which more than likely would result in premature explosion and loss of the well. We therefore provide a more positive means for automatically controlling velocity of the explosive charge whereby it may be selectively lowered at constant velocity, which velocity is reduced as the charge approaches the fluid level, reduction collar liner and bottom of the well.

The original braking equipment is therefore simply used for emergency purposes. We also utilize the control mechanism for indicating the descent conditions of the charge from the time that the charge is lowered into the well until it reaches its proper positionin the barrel or at the bottom of the well, as now to be described.

Fixed to the outer face of the disk 85 and'encircling the brake drum 88 is a ring gear I88 having teeth I8I engaging the teeth I82 of a pinion I88 mounted on the actuating shaft I84 01' a pump I85. The ring gear I88 is provided with inwardly extending lugs I88 thaTt are secured by bolts I81 to aligning lugs I88 on the outer face of the disk 85 of the torpedo reel, as best illustrated in Fig. 8.

The pinion I88 is best illustrated in Fig. 9 and is shown as being slidably mounted on a splined head I88 of the shaft I88 so that it may be moved to and from engagement with'the ring gear upon reciprocation of a rod I18 that is slidably mounted in a bearing sleeve "I carried by the pump I88, the shaft I18 carrying a yoke I12 engaging a groove I18 in the hub I18 of the pinion gear I88.

The opposite" end of the rod I18 carries a lateral extension or handle I15 by which the rod may be shifted in the bearing to move the pinion gear to and from engagement with the ring gear,

the pinion gear being retained in either selected a position by a pawl latch I18 slidably mounted in the lug I11 on the sleeve "I and engaging in one of a pair of grooves I18 and. I18, the pawl Fixed to the outer end of the bearing sleeve of' latch being normally urged into engagement with the rod by a spring I88 having one end engaging against the pawl and its opposite end against a plug I8I threaded in the lug I11. I

The pump housing is flxed to the inner ends of the cross members 2i and 22 by brackets I82 and I88 and includes a substantially rectangular block having intercommunicating cylindrical chambers I88 and I85 therein in which are rotatably mounted intermeshing pump gears or impellers I88 and I81, the gear I88 being keyed to the shaft I84 and the gear I81 keyed to a shaft I88 rotatably mounted in the pump housing, as in ordinary gear pump construction.

Rotation of the gears I88 and I81 draws fluid from a supply tank I88 through a conduit I88 connected with the tank and an inlet channel I8I formed in the pump housing and discharges the fluid under pressure through an exhaust port I82 into a discharge conduit I88 for return to the supply tank through a conduit I85, the flow through the conduit I88 being selectively throttled by a regulating valve I88 to vary the rotational speed of the gears or impellers I88 and I81.

Also connected to the conduit I84 by a branch conduit I81 and responsive to the fluid pressure therein, is a surge chamber I88.

Connected with the surge chamber is a pressure gage I88 for indicating the discharge pressures of the pump and which is positioned so that the operator may observe the pressures as the explosive charges are being lowered into the well, as hereinafter described.

With the brake mechanism thus far described, it is apparent that closing the valve I88 will stop operation of the pump gears I 88 and I81 due to incompressibility of the fluid. Consequently, stopping of the pump will also stop unreeling action of the reel providing the pinion gear I83 is in meshing relation with the ring gear I88 on the reel. v

When the valve I88 is in wide open condition the fluid has free egress from the pump. and the reel is free to rotate at its maximum speed and maximum descent velocity of the explosive charge.

By moving the valve to intermediate positions, it is apparent that the speed of the reel may be varied at will from maximum to zero rotational speeds and thereby control velocity at which the explosive charge descends.

It is also apparent that any retardation in velocity of the explosive charge below that set by the valve I88 will cause reduction in the rotational speed of the reel and corresponding de-. crease in the rotational speed of the pump due to the direct connection of the reel with the pump through the gears or impellers I88 and I58. Reduction in the speed of the pump causes a reduction in pressure on the discharge side of the pump which will be visibly indicated to the operator on the gage I88.

Reduction in the pressure on the gage will show to the operator that the descent conditions of the explosive charge have changed and that the explosive charge is being retarded by the fluid content of the well or perhaps by frictional engagement of the shell on the wall of the well.

As the operator becomes experienced with the conditions encountered, the changes in pressure, as indicated bythe gage, will indicate to him the exact conditions in the well, for example, certain pressures will indicate that the explosive charge ismoving through water, slightly diflerent pressures that the explosive charge is moving through a fluid of diiferent gravity, such as oil Other pressures will indicate that the explo sive charge is dragging upon and being retarded by the walls of 'the well and other pressures that the explomve charge is moving freely through the well casing, while still other fluctuating pressures will indicate to the operator when the explosive charge is through a gas containing stratum.

While the hydraulic mechanism Just described will indicate the kind of fluid through which the charge is descending, and the time it takes to descend through the fluid by noting the interval between changes in gage pressures, it will not show the depth of the respective fluids from the surface of the well and we provide a measure meter operable upon the line for indicating the position of the explosive charge relatively to the top of the well, so that by observing the measure meter, together with the pressure gage I, the

' depth at which the explosive charge enters the respective fluids may be noted.

This is a most important feature of the present invention in combination with the hydraulic brake and its recording gage because it provides safety in placing the explosive charges and pro- 'llsdirectlyabovethe vides positive information as to position of the torpedo shell relatively to conditions in the well.

The measure meter is best illustrated in. Figs. 2, 8, 5, 6, 7, 1'! and 18 and is shown as including a frame Ill upper and lowerpairs of wheels ill. 2.2, III and 2 adapted to operate directly upon the cable I as it is being'paid from m frame llrcomprlses a plate portion 2" having spaced laterally extending lugs 20 provided with downwardl'yopeningslots m for pass-- ingtheline. 'lhe-endsofthelugsarecutaway .inarcuatecurvesflltotetheperipb' eryofthewheels. Carried bytheplateportion spacingsbetweenthelugs 'aresmbshartslllandillformountingthe wheels 20' and III with their'a esin iixedrelationtotheframe. 'lhewheelsiltandl,however, are movable to and from-engagement with thecable.asnowtobe Plvotallysupportedontheframelllonapin Iii are bell cranks III and Iithaving arms lit. carryingstubshaftstllandlll forthe wheels Mandi. 'l'heotherarmslil'oi'thebeil .crankshavefacing sochetstilandlll for mountingtheendsofa coilspringllltoswingthebell' crankoutwardiy,therebyurgingthewheels into engagement with the cable, the tension of the springbeingregulatedbyathmnbscrewlll whichisthreadedintotheendofthesocketii'l sndhasits endafolloweroi'thelpring llltovarythepressureoi'thewheelsonthecabie. The'wheels III and I may be locked from ongagementwiththecable the bell crank III and having a'nnotch Ill engageablewithapinlflonthebellcranklil whereby the depending arms of the bell crank maybemovedtowardeachotheragainsttension ofthespringandlatchedtom'eventthemheels 'll land lllfromen'gagingthe-cabletofacilitate threadingthereofbetweenthepairsoi'wheels.

To moimt the measure meter. theframe'lll lnsastudlllextendingfromtherearsidethere- .ofwhichisrockinglymountedinahorisontal hearing!" ontheupperendofaverticalpostlll. the post III being-rotatably mounted in a vertical sleeve fllcarriedontheend ofaieverarm ii! that is pivotally mounted on a winging bracket byslatchfll pivotedfon I" having a pintle Ill thatis rotatably mounted in a socket Ill carried on the cross bar It previously described. It is thus obvious that the measure meter is free to rock on horizontal and vertical pivots and at varying angles relatively to the reel'due to the mounting of the lever 22..

' The weight of the measure meter is counterbalanced on the bracket 22! by a weight 232 flxed to the free end oi the lever arm 22'. A similar socket 233 may be mounted on the bar I! adJacent the squib reel so that the measure meter may be removed from the socket Ill and applied to the socket III for measuring the amount of wire removed from the'squib reel.

Fixed in driving relation with the wheels Ill and III are gears 234 and III each meshing with a common gear Ill on a counter It! carriedby the frame Ill and which registers the number of feet of cable paid from the reel.

In order to control unreeling action of the cable and to eii'ect reeling of the cable in layers on the torpedo reel, we provide a guide member 238 that is slidably mounted on a shaft '2" carried in brackets I and ill forming upward extensions -of the bearings Ill and I", as best shown in Fig. 2.

The member III also carries a depending portion 242 sleeved in guided relation with the section III of the power shaft to retain it in perpendicupreaches the respective ends of the reel. the-shaft ill beingrotated in timed relation with the reel operatedbys chain!" onasprocket ill died to member some the ratchet gear 41. a's'best shown lung. 4. r

apparent that the guide member is speedsindirectproportiontotherotationslspeeds or the reel so that the cable is wound and anin motor of the vehicle may be controlled at aoent the reel controls'by and Ill windlh'gsrieedotthereels.

we provide a brake-shoe 2|! which ismounted onalever Ill tbatiscarried on'a bracket Ill 70 located in the housing'in line with the inner 'disk *ofth'e squib reel,as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

The braking end of'the lever is normally retained from engagement with the reel by a coil spring "I that-is sleeved-over a threaded rod 2 reel at a point between the clutch In order to control rotation of the squib reel,

40 groove to-the other, as the guide member apstanding through the free end or thebrake lever 7s:..

. hicle H carrying the unreeling unit as above described is backed to a point adjacent the derrick I so that the torpedo reel is in position in line with the center of the well hole. I

The pulley I is then adjusted so that the periphery of the pulley is in tangential alignment with the center of the well.

' The free end of the cable 0 is passed through the slot 2 of the guide member 243, threaded between the wheels of the measure meter, and over the pulley I. The reel brake is then set and the pawl 40 mbved into engagement with the ratchet'wheel 41 to prevent rotation of the reel.

The sprockets III are connected with the sprockets I" of the power take off mechanisms, and the clutches'lll thereof are moved out of engagement with the clutch face of the wheel hubs so that the bearing sleeves are free toirotate within the wheel hubs without driving the wheels of the vehicle when operating the chains. The clutch I", however, is retained in neutral position between the clutch faces of the sprockets H I and Ill so that neither sprocket is eflective'in v driving the reels.

It is best practice to prospect the well hole by running a dummy shell into the well and to recom the depths at which variations in descent velocity occur in order that the well conditions may be known to the operator prior to placing a torpedo shell. A dummy shell having the same relative size, shape and weight as a torpedo shell is tied to the cable 0 and suspended over the well hole. The rod H0 is then actuated to move the gear I into meshing relation with the ring gear IN on the torpedo reel to operably connect the torpedo reel with the pump which controls and regulates rotational speed of the reel and limits the descent of the charge.

The brake lever 04 is then actuated to release the brake band from engagement with the brake drum on the reel and the pawl lifted to permit rotation of the reel and allow descent of the dummy shell into the well under the force of gravity.

The rate of descent, however, will be under the braking action of the pump I", so that the cable can unwind only as fast as the reel is permitted to rotate the rotational speed of the pump being regulated by the throttle valve I".

By observing the gage I, the rate of descent of the dummy shell is noted and maintained at :adesired speed by closing or opening the throttle As the dummy shell descends into the well, it may encounter fluid and other obstructions to aflect its rate of descent, which is indicated by fluctuations of the gage I99 11. such a manner that the operator is informed as to the nature of the body encountered.

During descent of the dummy shell, the measure meter is measuring the torpedo line paid into the well so that by observing the register 231, the operator is informed as to the depths at which the descent variations occur and the total depth of the well when the dummy reaches the bottom thereof. After the recordings have been made, the

dummy shell is removed from the well.

This is accomplished by moving the clutch Ill to engage the clutch face of the sprocket wheel ill to effect rotation of the torpedo reel shaft 28. .The clutch lever 85 is then actuated to cause engagement of the clutch disk with the clutch faces of the torpedo reel to effect reverse rotation thereof and winding of the cable 6 on the reel.

As the cable is wound on the reel, the cam shaft 239 will be rotated to effect reciprocation of the guide member 238 back and forth across the width viously obtained so that the torpedo may be lowered atspeeds best suited to the conditions within the well. As the torpedo near the point of placement, the speed thereof is retarded and controlled to prevent sudden engagement thereof with the bottom of the well.

When the line slacks sumciently, the torpedo hook automatically disengages from the shell as in conventional practice. It sometimes happens that lnsufflcient slack has been applied to the -line to effect release of the shell, but to assure that the shell is released the cable is raised some distance above the point at which the shell is placed, and the clutch lever 65 is actuated to effect release of the reel and reverse rotation thereof under weight of the cable in the well.

The operator then observes the reading on the gage I 99 and if it indicates the same pressures as those registered at the time the shell was moving through the same portion of the well, it will show to him that the shell has not been released, but is still depending from the cable.

If this is the case, the shell will be returned to the bottom of the well and another attempt made to release it.

If, when the operations are repeated, a different registration is recorded on the gage I, it will show that the shell has been released and the cable is ready to be removed from the hole of fluid, or other stemming, is introduced into the well.

If the job is to set a squib in the casing, tubing or drill pipe, or adjacent tools that are to be sidetracked, thecable on the squib reelis run over the pulley l and the squib is lowered into the well and stopped by the brake 202 when it reaches the position at which it is to be set.

After the squib has exploded, the remaining portion of the wire may be removed from the well by actuating the clutch lever 91 to cause the clutch disks for the squib reel to engage the clutch faces of the reel.

when the clutch i II has been moved into engagement with the clutchface on the sprocket have provided a cable reeling apparatus which may be conveniently transported from one location to another and which is actuated to control descent 01' an explosive charge in direct coni'ormity to the actual conditions through which the explosive charge is moving, thereby eliminating many of the hazards common to setting high explosive charges.

whatweclaimanddesiretosecurebyhetters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described,

a reel, a cable wound on the reel for lowering an explosive charge into a well, l'r'vdraulic braking means connected with the reel, an indicator actuated through said braking means for indicating fluctuation in rate oi descent of the explosive charge in the well, and a measure meter operated by the cable to register depth of the explosive charge in the well in coordination with said fluctuatioms whereby the depth and velocity readings may be determined simultaneously.

2. In an apparatus 01' the character described. a support, a reel on the support, a cable wound on the reel for lowering an explosive charge into a well, an indicator for indicating fluctuation in rate of descent of the explosive charge in the well, means operably connecting the indicator with the reel, a measure meter enga ing he cable to register depth of the explosive charge in the well simultaneously with the fluctuations, and means for universally mounting the measure meto: on the support for movement with changing angle of the cable relatively to the reel.

3. In combination with a motor vehicle, a reel carried by the vehicle, a cable wound on the reel for lowering an explosive charge into a well, hydraulic means on the vehicle controlling un winding of the cable from the reel to regulate descent rate of the explosive charge, means connected with said hydraulic means for indicating descent variation of the explosive charge in the well, a measure meter engaging the cable to register pay oi the cable from the reel whereby the depths and velocity readings may be determined simultaneously. and means for universally mounting the measure meter on the vehicle to follow angular pay oi the cable irom the reel.

4. The method oi setting explosive charge in a well including lowering a dummy shell into the well, recording variations in descent velocity oi the dummy shell during the time it is being lowered into the well, simultaneously recording the depths at which said variations occur, removing the dummy shell from the well, lowering an explosive charge into the well. and regulating descent of the explosive charge in conformity with said recordings.

5. The method of setting an explosive charge in a well including lowering a dummy shell into the well, recording variations in descent velocity 01' the dummy shell, simultaneously recording depths at which said variations occm', removing the dummy shell from the well, lowering an explosive charge into the well, and regulating descent velocity of the explosivecharge at the points at which said variations occur as indicated by said recordings. I

8. The method of setting an explosive charge in a well including lowering a dummy shell into the well, limiting the descent velocity 0! the shell to a predetermined maximum, recording variation in velocity from said predetermined maxi mum velocity, simultaneously recording depths at which said variations occur, removing the dummy shell from the well, lowering an explosive charge into the well, maintaining the same maximum descent velocity as that at the dummy shell, and regulating the descent velocity of the explosive charge in direct conformity with said recordings.

7. An apparatus 01' the character described comprising a reel, a cable wound on the reel for lowering an explosive charge into a well, braking means for controlling the rotation of the reel comprising a drum carried by the reel, a ring gear on the drum.,hydraulic means comprising a fluid chamber, impellers in the chamber, a fluid supply tank, means for conducting fluid from the supply tank to the fluid chamber, means for discharging the fluid under pressure from the chamber to the supply tank, a surge chamber connected to the discharge means and responsive to pressure of the discharging fluid to minimize the pulsations oi the impellers, an actuating shalt supporting one of the impellers, a pinion engaging the actuating shaft and the ring gear, means for indicating the pressure in the surge chamber, and means for selectively throttling the flow through the discharge means for varying the speed of the reel and controlling its operation.

8. In a reel and cable apparatus for lowering an explosive charge into a well, a hydraulic mechanism comprising intercommunicating fluid chambers, rotatably mounted impellers in the chambers, a fluid supp y tank, means for conducting fluid i'rom thesupply tank to the intercommunicating chambers, a. discharge line for discharging the fluid under pressure and returning it to the supply tank, a surge chamber responsive to pressure of the discharging fluid for minimizing the pulsations oi the impellers, means for indicating the pressure in the surge chamber, and means for selectively throttling the flow through the discharge means for varying the speed of the reel.

9. An apparatus oi the character described comprising a reel, a cable wound on the reel for lowering an explosive charge into a well, braking means for controlling the rotation oi the reel comprising a flanged drum carried by the reel, a ring gear on the flange, hydraulic means comprising intercommunicating cylindrical chambers, rotatably mounted impellers in the chambers, a fluid supply tank, means for conducting fluid from the supply tank to the intercommunicating chambers, a discharge line for discharging the fluid under pressure by the impellers and returning it to the supply tank, a surge chamber connected to the discharge line and responsive to pressure of the discharging fluid to mi'nimize the pulsations oi the impellers, an actuating shaft supporting one of the impellers, a pinion engaging the actuating shaft and the ring gear, means ior indicating the pressure in the surge chamber, and means for selectively throttling the'flow through the discharge line for varying the speed of the reel and controlling its operation.

10. In a reel and cable apparatus for lowering an explosive charge into a well comprising in combination a rotatable drum, hydraulic means ior operating the drum, a fluid supply, means ior conducting fluid from the fluid supply to the hydraulic means, a discharge line for discharging the fluid under pressure from the hydraulic means and returning it to the fluid supply, a

surge chamber in the discharge line responsive to pressure of the discharging fluid for minimining the pulsations of the hydraulic means,

means for indicating the pressure in the surge chamber, and means for selectively throttling the flow through the discharge means for varying the rotational speed of the drum.

CHESTER A. MATHEY. Y 5 PAUL F. LEWIS. 

